Korean word

모국어

Pronunciation

Romanizationmogugeo

Meaning

  • nounnative language

Example

아이들은 모국어를 먼저 배운다.a i deu reun mo gu geo reul meon jeo pae un da

Children learn their native language first.

Illustration for 모국어 (native language)

More examples

그는 모국어로 말할 때 편하다.keu neun mo gu geo ro mal hal ttae pyeon ha da

He feels comfortable when speaking his native language.

Core concept

The language a person grows up using most naturally and comfortably.

Common phrases

  • 모국어를 배우다mo gu geo reul pae u da

    learn one's native language

  • 모국어로 말하다mo gu geo ro mal ha da

    speak in one's native language

  • 모국어를 사용하다mo gu geo reul sa yong ha da

    use one's native language

Similar words

모국말mogungmal: A familiar everyday language spoken at home and around the neighborhood.
자국어chagugeo: The language a country uses for official and public matters.

Definition in Korean

한 사람이 태어나고 자라면서 가장 익숙하게 사용하게 된 고유한 언어han sa ra mi tae eo na go cha ra myeon seo ka jang ik ssu ka ge sa yong ha ge toen ko yu han eo neo

Word origin

모국어 (mogugeo, "native language") combines the Sino-Korean elements for mother, country, and language, linking the term to the language formed through a person's upbringing.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may use native language for a language learned from early childhood, even when it is not tied to citizenship or ancestry.

Opposites

Related words

  • 모국어권mogugeogwonnative-language regionnoun
  • 모국어교육mogugeogyoyuknative-language educationnoun
  • 모국어능력mogugeoneungnyeoknative-language proficiencynoun

Word lists with this word